Ryan Giggs: Manchester United legend ends playing career

A young Ryan Giggs embraces Eric Cantona after scoring as Manchester United, who had won the league title for the first time in 26 years, beat Blackburn Rovers 3-1 at Old Trafford in May 1993.

Giggs poses with the Premier League trophy. He would go on to win the title 13 times during his illustrious career

Manchester United won the Premier League title again in 1993-94. Here Giggs celebrates with Paul Ince after scoring United's second goal in their 2-0 win against Leeds United at Elland Road, a victory that helped the Red Devils finish eight points ahead of second-placed Blackburn Rovers.

Giggs playing for Wales. He made his international debut in 1991 and went on to represent his country 64 times, scoring 12 goals

The Red Devils won 3-0 at Manchester City in the 1994-95 season, but Blackburn won the league title on the final day with United finishing one point behind in second.

Manchester United bounced back 12 months later to regain the title. Giggs, who scored 11 times in the season, celebrates after scoring a crucial goal for United in their 3-2 win against Manchester City at Maine Road. Giggs's side later completed the double by beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final.

A fourth title in five years came Manchester United's way in the 1996-97 season. Giggs, making a tackle in his side's 2-1 victory against Wimbledon at Old Trafford, scored three league goals during the campaign - netting against Nottingham Forest, Coventry City and Wimbledon.

Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in the 1997-98 season, finishing one point ahead of Manchester United. The Red Devils scored 73 times throughout the campaign with Giggs celebrating his goal with David Beckham during the 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley at Old Trafford.

Manchester United clinched the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble in 1998-99, Giggs scoring the winner in a thrilling FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal

Manchester United won the Premier League again in 1999-2000, their sixth title in eight years. Giggs lifts the ball over Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Ian Walker to score during United's 3-1 loss at White Hart Lane, one of only three league defeats all season for the Red Devils.

After celebrating 10 years since his first-team debut for Manchester United, Giggs scores in their 3-0 victory against Bradford City at Valley Parade in 2000-01, a season that again ends with United lifting the trophy as they finish 10 points ahead of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.

Giggs also scored in Manchester United's 4-3 victory against Leeds United at Elland Road, but there would be no league title this season as United finished third, behind champions Arsenal and second-placed Liverpool.

Giggs scored Manchester United's equaliser during their 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Highbury in 2002-03, a result that helped the club lift another title at the end of the season, finishing five points ahead of the Gunners.

More action from the 2002-03 season as Giggs scores Manchester United's second goal in their 3-1 win against Charlton Athletic at The Valley. Giggs scored 16 times in all competitions during this campaign, including braces against Olympiakos, West Ham and Juventus.

Giggs fires in his second goal for Manchester United in their 2-1 win against Liverpool at Anfield in 2003-04, but United finish third, 15 points behind Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles' as Arsenal win the title, remaining unbeaten all season.

Giggs scores in his side's 2-0 win against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford, but it is another third-placed finish for Manchester United in 2004-05. Chelsea, backed by Roman Abramovich's millions, are celebrating at the end of the season with their first league title in 50 years.

Wales international Ryan Giggs shakes hands with Manchester United team-mate David Beckham, the England captain, before a World Cup qualifier at Old Trafford in October 2004.

Giggs scores the opening goal for Manchester United in their 3-0 win against Birmingham City at Old Trafford in 2005-06. But United can only finish runners-up as Jose Mourinho claims another league title as his Chelsea side, who only drop two points at home all season, finish top by eight points.

After four seasons without being champions, Manchester United win the 2006-07 league title. Giggs scored in United's 2-1 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage, a result that helped his side finish six points ahead of Chelsea.

Wales captain Ryan Giggs retires from international football after a Euro 2008 qualifying match against the Czech Republic in June 2007 at the Millennium Stadium.

The 2007-08 season was another successful one for Manchester United as they edged out Chelsea to win the Premier League title on the final day of the season and then beat the London club in the Champions League final. Giggs is pictured celebrating United's second goal in their 2-0 win against Wigan.

Ryan Giggs is named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009 after helping Manchester United win the Premier League title for the third successive year.

Giggs maintains his record of scoring in every Premier League season as he converts a penalty for United in their 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford. But there is no Premier League title in 2009-10 as United miss out on the final day of the season with Chelsea lifting the trophy.

Giggs scores Manchester United's third goal in their 5-0 win against Birmingham City at Old Trafford in 2010-11. Another league title comes to the Old Trafford club as they finish nine points ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Giggs continues to show his importance for Manchester United in their 2-1 win at Norwich City in 2011-12. However, it does not count for much at the end of the campaign as Manchester City win the title in dramatic circumstances thanks to Sergio Aguero's goal late on the last day of the season.

Giggs is named the captain of the men's Great Britain football team for the London Olympics in 2012

Despite the efforts of former team-mate Phil Neville, Giggs scores the opening goal for United in a 2-0 win against Everton at Old Trafford during the 2012-13 campaign, a result that left United 12 points ahead of Manchester City, and they went on to clinch their 13th Premier League title.

Having seen manager Sir Alex Ferguson depart in the summer, Ryan Giggs starts his 22nd season at United under the stewardship of David Moyes and plays against his hometown club Cardiff for the first time.

Just two days before his 40th birthday, Ryan Giggs is at the heart of the celebrations as Manchester United beat Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 in the Champions League. It is Giggs's 953rd appearance for the Red Devils.

Ryan Giggs applauds the Old Trafford crowd after his first game as interim Manchester United manager ends with a 4-0 win over Norwich.

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